Columbus Marathon Recap

Forgive any errors, wrote fast...

We will just start at the beginning. Last week I took this fantastic bootcamp class but unfortunately these crazy fast switching lounge moves resulted in a very bruised knee cap on my good leg. The IT band on my other leg still hurt, yet I have become accustomed to the pain. So despite these minor annoyances I was still pysched for my second marathon. My only other marathon was Columbus in 1998 and now I was heading back.

My husband, Joey and I hopped in the car for our 2.5 hour trip to Columbus. First stop, Starbucks for my non-fat Pumpkin Latte which was oh-so-delicious and then to my old college roomie, Liz's house just outside of Columbus. The 3 of us headed down to the expo which was stacked with people. After some browsing and grabbing things, we headed off to dinner at Bravo. After dinner we watched some movies and I hit the hay.

Race day woke up feeling pretty good. The three of us drove back into town as I ate a Clif Bar and I took in the excitement. It was the first time my husband and friend had been to an event like this. So many people, music, and a general excitement in the air when so many others are still in bed.

I made my way to the start and with the gun started off with the 3:40 pace group. Perhaps I should have started off slower....but I was feeling pretty good and figured if I had a shot I might as well try. The Clif Shot pacer was right on every mark. 5 miles in, I was right where I wanted at 41:52. The group was so big and there were so many people that with every water stop when I slowed it seemed like a challenge to get beck to the pacer. I hung with them until just after mile 7 when I felt my IT band grab. With 10 steps it seemed to feel better, yet I was now nervous and more than anything I just wanted to finish so I decided to slow down.

Just after 8, I spotted Joey and Liz and trotted over to shed my jacket and earwarmers. With a quick sweaty kiss (of course to Joey!!!) I was back off. About that time, the insides started to churn. Crap! I started looking for Port-O-Potties (POP) with no line, passed the half way marathon point at 1:55:18 which was not far off my half PR of 1:53. Then I made a stop at the POP and was back off.

About this time I started thinking that so many others had headphones and now I was running by myself and was really wishing I had mine. I started to think that now that qualifying for Boston was totally out of the question (even though it was a far-fetched notion I suppose now) I really did not care about how fast I finished, just so I did finish. My pace was really slowing.

I was feeling OK about this point but before long my insides announced they were not fine yet. About 15, I was in a lot of pain as I needed another POP. The one at 17 could not come soon enough and there was a line. It seemed like the longest line. I watched the 4 hr pace group go by and finally it was my turn. Then I realized why the POP line was moving slow, no TP. Just great, had to improvise. Finally I was back out. I kept alternating between feeling pretty good and picking up the pace to my numb aching balls of my feet, my super sore knees, and my knotted insides. One lady running by was encouraging...she said she should know something it was her 131st marathon...holy cow I thought! I marvelled over the many different people you see out on the course. The music along the course and fans helped. I was still really missing the headphones.

Finally to 20 now at 3:12:55, I ducked into the POP for a third time. I was excited to start counting down from that point. My pace was discouraging but everytime I picked it up, my insides seemed to get worse, so I just kept things slow and steady. Around 24 or 25 I thought about hitting the POP again, but I just kept trying to con my body into letting me just wait until the end. There was an older gentleman running with another man who yelled out in pain which really put it into perspective for me that I had no reason to whine. I think he had a cramp, but his running buddy was helping him through it.

I was so excited to round the final corner and see the finish line. I picked up the pace significantly for the last 200 and passed several people. After crossing the line, I was psyched and in a ton of pain. Total time 4:17:56 so a 9:51 pace. Total time in POP, way too much!

I do not recall feeling so spent after my first one. I was in a lot of pain. Walking was hard. Both knees were really sore. I think the balls of my feet were bruised. So many other things hurt too. I kept thinking I cannot imagine how the ironmen and women do this whole thing after swimming and biking so far.

All in all, my husband and Liz totally made the day with their support. I was so thankful for the crowd suppport & volunteers and all my training partners who have helped me to once again finish another marathon. 2006 time 4:17:56, 1998 time 4:40...so I will take that improvement. The thing here is given all of this races isssues, I know I can do better next marathon...to be continued!